Only June... It's truly a damning thought, one Edward meets with a solemn sigh of his own, dipping his head again for a moment. They haven't even been in this place a full year, and already so much... has happened. So much horror, and loss.

But he's looking back up at the older man as he continues speaking, studying him as he listens. So Crozier is aware that it wasn't... fully them. He knows it was some sort of manipulation, some outside presence — it's a relief, one Little is nodding again to.

"The Darkwalker... I had not realised before just how deeply it could influence this place. ....And us," he adds; no matter what relief he might feel, shame lingers there, leaking from him. He swallows, heart tightening.

"What was said.... You must know, I do not blame you. For what went wrong, for— any of it. We were doomed men. I do not think I was capable of... truly seeing it for what it was back then, but... somewhere in me, perhaps I knew."

At the very least, he knew he was in a situation that was... beyond his capacity to control or truly deal with, and crumbling fast, even if Edward had held onto hope far longer than most would dare. It was foolish of him to; he can see that now, too.